Night Out' To Fight Crime Planned In Bethlehem

Bethlehem residents are being invited to join thousands of communities across America in supporting a symbolic nationwide crime prevention project called "National Night Out" on Aug. 12.

The event, sponsored by the National TownWatch Association and co- sponsored locally by the Bethlehem police crime-prevention unit, is a crime-prevention demonstration during which residents spend an hour outside their homes on porches, lawns, or front steps, and turn on outside lights.

In conjunction with the vigil, police departments across the nation will monitor the crime activity to help measure the effectiveness of the effort. Organizers are hoping the awareness, unity and spirit that exists during "National Night Out" will last well after Aug. 12.

Overall, "National Night Out" is designed to heighten crime-prevention awareness, generate support for and participation in local police-community anticrime efforts, strengthen neighborhood spirits, help overcome the "after- dark fear of crime," and send a message to criminals letting them know the neighborhoods across America are watching.

Bethlehem police crime prevention officer Joseph Keglovits said, "Night Out is an event for neighborhoods to stand together in support of safer streets. We're turning the clock back about 30 years to a time when looking out for one another was routine.

"It's a fun evening with an important message. Rather than closing our eyes, locking our doors and complaining, neighbors are organizing and letting criminals know that the people want the streets back."

During last summer's "National Night Out," 2,100 cities and towns from 46 states supported the effort. Nationally, close to 11-million people took part. Special events were held, including block parties, parades, candle and flashlight vigils, cookouts, neighborhood visits by police and local officials, balloon releases, and anticrime rallies.

Keglovits reported that 30 neighborhoods participated last year. He said police expect the same cooperation this year.